Bellator inks former NCAA champ Darrion Caldwell

Bellator MMA has added a former NCAA Division I national wrestling champion to its featherweight roster.

The organization today announced the signing of undefeated Darrion Caldwell (3-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) to a “long-term deal,” though contracts details weren’t revealed.

“Everything just really fell into place for me to sign with a prestigious organization like Bellator,” Caldwell stated. “I’m really embracing this opportunity. During our talks, the tournament format is something I thought about a lot, and that’s what I always grew up with being a Division I wrestler. I’m used to looking at a bracket and seeing my name against another fighter, so I’m absolutely looking forward to my first tournament run.”

According to today’s announcement, the 25-year-old will first compete in some featured fights before joining a future tournament field. As Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney stated, Caldwell “will be brought along slowly and given time to develop.”

The fighter, who won his 2009 national championship at North Carolina State University, went 3-0 after turning to MMA and fighting for Legacy Fighting Championship, which has become a pipeline for top talent. Most recently, Caldwell earned a unanimous-decision victory over Gerzan Chaw (3-2 at the time) in July at Legacy FC 21.

Caldwell, who overcame a severe shoulder dislocation during his senior year at N.C. State with the help of world-renowned sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews, currently trains at Power MMA and Fitness. The Arizona gym is home to some notable and fellow wrestlers-turned-MMA fighters, including Ryan Bader and C.B. Dollaway.

For more on Bellator’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.